General/National Status?

[MeiLana]

I received a communication this week referencing an OR RN and CST shortage locally and nationally and that even traveling OR nurses are in short supply. I was surprised that this is the case. I'm new to OR (still in training) and I thoroughly love it and don't want to do anything else. Maybe the new hasn't worn off yet, but I don't know why more people aren't trying to get into it.

We have also been told that in 10 years the shortage will be much worse if more aren't trained now. Is this true? Where would one go to find these sorts of statistics? I've scanned AORN a bit, but am not finding statistics or indications that there is or will be a shortage? (I'm down with the flu right now, so I could totally be glazing right past it.)

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Shortages have been predicted for decades- and the decade when it is supposed to start keeps getting pushed back. I wouldn't believe much of anything published about a nursing shortage. Of course, there are some areas with actual shortages, but they tend to be areas that are unpopular to live in.

In my area, there are 4 relatively large hospitals, all with ORs. Currently, there are 8 RN openings and 4 ST openings. 3 of each are at my facility, and the chances that the positions will actually be filled (because of costs, not because of not having applicants) are slim.